October 12, 2017 4:25pm EDTOctober 12, 2017 4:25pm EDTMLS, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Diego Valeri, David VillaMLS has announced the 53 players who will be on the ballot for the league's top individual honor

Thomas Floyd

Published on Oct. 12, 2017

Oct. 12, 2017

MLS has announced the 53 players named to the ballot for the 2017 Most Valuable Player award, with Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Villa and Diego Valeri among the stars making the cut.

New York City FC star Villa is looking to become the first player to win back-to-back MVP honors, having recorded 20 goals and nine assists this season.

Portland Timbers playmaker Valeri appears to be Villa's stiffest opposition for the prize, having become the first midfielder in MLS history to score 20 goals in a season.

Each club submitted up to three nominees for the award, though the league-worst LA Galaxy declined to have any names included on the ballot.